Message from Carol
Dear Colleagues:Lately, with COVID restrictions easing, I have been thinking about our science community and about our interactions with each other. I have been excited to engage with many of you over the summer, both virtually and in person. I talked with a number of you in two informal, small group virtual chat sessions which we have been calling “Chat with Carol” – about team science in a hybrid workplace, among other topics. In recent meetings with research leaders and employee groups, I hear that we are all looking to connect, create networks, and collaborate. You are applying your creativity to this need as well. For example, Research Areas are finding creative ways to convene staff onsite, or finding new ways for hybrid teams to interact. I have found my own interactions to be inspirational, including attending the JGI 25th anniversary celebration. Everywhere I turn, there is an opportunity to learn about the exciting work that you are doing.Our science community, of course, extends beyond the Lab. For example, we engage with our region’s vibrant innovation ecosystem. Many of you have been attending conferences, both virtual and in-person, and four of our scientists went to Lindau, Germany, to rub elbows with Nobel Prize laureates and early career scientists from all over the world.
I hope you will continue to take the time to reach out to each other and to the community outside the Lab, virtually or in person, even as you focus on your work. It is these interactions and collaborations that accelerate research and the transfer of research to society, and inspire the ideas that can make a difference.
Sincerely,
Carol Burns
Deputy Laboratory Director for Research
Chief Research Officer
The Carbon Negative Initiative: Strategic Planning for Development Opportunities
Last November, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new goal to remove gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and durably store it for less than $100/ton of net CO2-equivalent. The “Carbon Negative Shot,” the third target within DOE’s Energy Earthshots Initiative, is the U.S. government’s first major effort in carbon dioxide removal (CDR)—a key facet of the plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The Lab’s recent Carbon Negative Initiative Workshop explored the Lab’s relevant research and capabilities across the Lab and will inform the creation of a strategic plan for development.
The 71st Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting: A Science Conference to Remember
In June, four Lab scientists participated in this year’s Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, hearing from and enjoying discussions with 35 Nobel laureates and other early career scientists from around the world. The participants from the Lab included: Energy Sciences Area’s Chaochao Dun (Molecular Foundry), Katherine Sytwu (Molecular Foundry), and Jennifer Wacker (Chemical Sciences Division), and Energy and Environmental Sciences Area (EESA)’s Michael Whittaker.
Welcome Jesse Kindra as the Lab’s Chief Technology Transfer Officer
Jesse Kindra has joined the Lab as Chief Technology Transfer Officer (CTTO), leading the Intellectual Property Office, which is responsible for intellectual property strategy development and portfolio management to support the commercialization of Lab-developed technologies for the benefit of society and the U.S. economy. This position reports to the Deputy Lab Director for Research, and works closely with PIs from across the Lab and with the Strategic Partnerships Office team.
Seven innovative Lab technologies were honored with a 2022 R&D 100 Award, which recognizes the year’s 100 most innovative and disruptive technologies. This year’s winners diagnose disease, generate green hydrogen, improve battery performance and recyclability, and increase energy efficiency. Congratulations to the winners!
Reminder from Strategic Partnerships Office: 5-day Review for Proposals
At Berkeley Lab, sponsored research proposals to non-DOE external entities must be reviewed by the Strategic Partnerships Office (SPO) before they are submitted on your behalf. This includes new and amended proposals, as well as modifications such as no-cost extensions to add time to existing projects, for all non-DOE sponsors.
Note that SPO requires all proposals and modifications be entered into eSRA and submitted to SPO for review and action no later than five (5) full business days before the submission deadline to the direct sponsor to ensure all necessary requirements are met for a complete package and to also manage workflow so that all sponsor deadlines can be met for our research teams.. Further clarification on this five-day submission policy can be found in these FAQs. PIs requesting an exception to this five day proposal lead time submission requirement should complete the SPO Proposal Late Submission Request Form for consideration.
Approval Required to Attend Virtual Events Hosted by Foreign Entities
Even if an event hosted by a foreign entity is virtual, anyone wanting to attend the event must receive DOE approval at least 14 days before the event to allow time for the DOE program office to assess the request. Failure to ask for approval will result in reimbursement denial.
